RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 28, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2011 A video made by one of our team, only Widnes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWuywgR2RJw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SXHALL Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I was disappointed that there were virtually no specialist traders, I was looking forward to getting some more C&L bits to add to my track building programme, but will now have to shop on-line again. Pah. Second this. Just venturing in to building my own track and was looking forwards to some practical advice when I buy. Saw the guys on the EM society stand as they had a good show of various components made up from varying suppliers, if only I could have purchased them at the same time back to the impersonal on-line ordering! Also remember seeing wagon kits in brass and white-metal etc. from various manufacturers in previous years and could not find them either this time round . Still I went on Sunday so not too busy and had a good pint and a burger in the bar before going in to the show. Must say that the number of layouts on display looked to have gone up and I was taken back by the size of the Horny Dublo display. Favourite for me was Apethorn Junction, superb. Steven Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalie Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I went with Kelly and had the usual good time accentuated by much gossipping with people- which is always an enjoyable part of a show. To back up Julia's earlier comments about a lack of mysogynistic comments I would like to say that this is my normal experience of over 10 years of attending shows both as a viewer and exhibitor. Maybe the fact that people seem to know me helps? Layout wise I enjoyed Rowlands Castle, Moor Street (had the surreal sight of JSW backing a kettle onto a suburban 3set), Widnes Vine Yard, Happisburgh, Appledore and Bawdsey. Thanks to all those operators who put up with me! Finally a big thanks to Messrs Skipsey and Turner for their hospitality and explanations of their operating system. It was also a pleasure to see how well Dave was considering he had major cardiac surgery less than a month ago. Finally have they moved the carparks further away or has some more height been added to the hill that Ally Pally is on? My knees certainly thought so! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave777 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Missed last year but this was my fourth visit in five years. I thought the overall standard of layouts was down on previous years, with Apethorn Junction being the highlight. No problems with traders, the selection seemed really good to me and I got several bits, including some embossed, thin, stretcher bond brick sheet for N gauge that I'd never seen before (and something I've been after for bloomin' yonks). Chap on the 2mm Society stand was very chatty & helpful about Easitrack, although I don't think I could convince him that pre-soldered points were the way to go! Biggest problem was running out of time - could have done with another hour for layout gazing, so many were busy that I thought I'd 'come back later' but it got to 4:30 before I knew it and things were packing up. Overheard one trader say 'It was looking good on Saturday, but it's been very average indeed'. Not as good as previous years, but I'm sure I'll be there next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I.ve already posted my thoughts on the show, so won't do it again, but having read other reports, and those of other exhibitions, one thing stands out, and that is the subject of the great un-washed and back packs. Now i dont want to start this debate again, but may be some one can explain why the packs have to be so big. I can understand people bringing food etc and having space to carry the goodies they have bought, but some appear so big they are carrying a 4 man tent inside. As for the un-washed i don't suppose anyone will admit to that and as to the reason why. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mod4 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I.ve already posted my thoughts on the show, so won't do it again, but having read other reports, and those of other exhibitions, one thing stands out, and that is the subject of the great un-washed and back packs. Now i dont want to start this debate again, So please let us not then... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 . As for the un-washed i don't suppose anyone will admit to that and as to the reason why. I didn't have a huge issue with people with big rucksacks on the whole, the occasional one who bumped into me soon apologised when they realised I was walking with aid of a stick - there might of been an aspect of a 6' woman with said stick glaring too . As for the 'un-washed' perhaps it is cos the venue gets so damned hot?! I had to go get fresh air every so often to stop overheating and feeling faint. They really need to sort that out one of these years! Otherwise no real issues. Kelly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I.ve already posted my thoughts on the show, so won't do it again, but having read other reports, and those of other exhibitions, one thing stands out, and that is the subject of the great un-washed and back packs. Now i dont want to start this debate again, but may be some one can explain why the packs have to be so big. I can understand people bringing food etc and having space to carry the goodies they have bought, but some appear so big they are carrying a 4 man tent inside. The big reason for the backpacks, a lot of people are not visiting an exhibition that is local to them. I travelled to London the night before to make it easier to get to the event on the day. When you do that, and have to stay at a hostel, or maybe even a campsite, you need the big bag with you, because typically there are no affordable left luggage options, and you have checked out of your accommodation in the morning before going to the event. This does not excuse the people with big packs that wallop you due to not being careful, but at the same time, we need to consider the practicalities of these things. Perhaps if it becomes a really big issue, exhibitions could start giving cloakroom facilities. On a related note at Tonbridge exhibition I have left my Brompton with the ticket desk while I am at the event so as to minimise the amount of damage I might do to others whilst wandering round with it. I do keep the backpack with me tho (it holds my camera). J Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardL Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Most astonishing comment heard at Ally Pally today; When a father asked an operator on behalf of his young son to see a particular train run he was told "you've missed it and we've completed the sequence now so you'll have to wait an hour and a half to see it next". G. I have a feeling that this may be a misreported conversation on Clutton. At one point a child spotted "duck" disappearing around the corner, and we were asked if we could run it again. I explained to the questionner that it might take a while as it was now at the back of a line of three trains in a siding, and that it might take a while to work it back through the system and was told 'OK we'll wait'. Ten minutes later the family had wandered off just as Duck came around! Operating isn't always as straightforwards as it seems. It was good to see 40+ earnest trainspotters trying to stiffle a smile every time duck came around. Biggest laugh of the weekend was while operating the Clutton signalbox, with the inevitable ex signalman watching intently, along came a 1 - 5 bell code, "what's that?' he said, 'I've never used it!' the look on his face when I explained that it meant Orient 1 Yeovil 5 was priceless. I did ask Kempenfelt to send through the cricket score, but as england were on about 200 odd he refused. Apologies if I am wrong about the original post, we did alter our sequence to try to be helpful in this case but it didn't work. Cheers RichardL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 As a whole sequence on Clutton doesn't take 1.5 hours, I think the comment was regarding elsewhere..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 30, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 30, 2011 It couldn't have been Widnes, if it's on a road with multiple trains we don't know how long it will be before the MILF picks it*, single trains on a road we will try and run if requested. * Sunday morning the MILF refused to pick any down trains, so we forced a few through, such is the nature of random trains, annoying as Nigel from Modern Structures in Miniature was filming the layout for another one of his excellent DVDs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I have a feeling that this may be a misreported conversation on Clutton. Nope, it wasn't about Clutton, or Widnes; their reputations remain intact. G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burkitt Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Here are some extra videos of mine from Ally Pally, with more footage of individual layouts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm_BESS52O8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReWB34Ftuk8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbqmR0KMNKA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN9futfs7FI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZioV8e3fnEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAwdfVyedXc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o0xkiqJXTM Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burkitt Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLaLbg9rPPc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45157 Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Most astonishing comment heard at Ally Pally today; When a father asked an operator on behalf of his young son to see a particular train run he was told "you've missed it and we've completed the sequence now so you'll have to wait an hour and a half to see it next". G. As has been said before, it would depend entirely how the explanation was put across, and if any effort was made to "show" the train without actually running it. I am a regular operator on Barmouth Bridge and although it works to a strict sequence (early 1900s to present day) operators will always make every effort to oblige such a request for a particular train from a member of the public. Problem is, it puts everything out of sequence, the special has to run across the bridge, be turned and run back again and be put away for the normal sequence to resume. One member of the public is happy to see their train run and numerous unhappy because we are not operating "like a proper railway" The frequency of the trains run on the layout is not enough for some and others have commented there are too many, as it could never happen due to clearing sections etc. A point not often appreciated is, depending on the layout, operating to a fixed sequence which involves other operators can require a great deal of discipline and concentration, and while I personally always try to answer questions from the viewing public and indulge in as much conversation as I can, I have got myself into trouble on more than one occasion by losing concentration on what I am supposed to be doing, the trains stop and the viewers move off because nothing is happening. It is very true that you will never manage to please all the people all the time. I only know the request was not made of me, as I would have tried to run the train as soon as possible. regards Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redkiterail Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Loch Dour Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdh4V6X7xaQ Sorry about the focusing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burkitt Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 While uploading my videos to Youtube, I have noticed that the exhibitor names were omitted from this year's programme. Most of them I have been able to find online, but a few are proving impossible to track down. If anyone knows the name of the creator of Asciano del Lamone, the Italian HO layout, or Appledore, could you possibly let me know so I could give them credit? Thanks, Paul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.